Thermage FLX — Complete Guide to Firming, Fine Lines & Eye Area Lifting

Who it suits / who it doesn't

Good fit for

• Skin that has become thinner, with more fine lines and rough texture
• Looser skin around the cheeks and jaw with less firmness
• Bothered by eye wrinkles or a slightly drooping upper-lid feeling
• Enlarged, sagging pores and rough skin texture
• Have little cheek volume and worry about hollowing after deep lifting
• Want a treatment with no downtime during a short trip

Needs a consultation first

• Anyone with an implanted electronic medical device such as a pacemaker or defibrillator
• Anyone with metal implants, fillers/implants or metal threads in or near the treatment area
• Anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding
• Anyone with inflammation, wounds or severe acne in the treatment area
• Anyone prone to keloids or who recently had another laser or procedure

What is Thermage FLX? — Tightening dermal collagen with radiofrequency

Thermage uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to heat the dermis evenly over a wide area. Heated collagen fibers contract right away, giving a tightening feel, and as the skin recovers, new collagen forms and firmness improves gradually.

FLX is the name of the generation of Thermage device most widely used today. Compared with earlier generations, the tip covers a larger area so treatment time is shorter, and the device senses the skin with each shot to adjust the energy.

Difference between face Thermage and eye Thermage (eye tip)

The skin around the eyes is very thin, so it is hard to treat with regular lasers or ultrasound lifting. Thermage offers a dedicated eye tip that can treat even over the eyelid. Many people have the face and eye area treated on the same day.

What is a 'shot'? — Why results differ even with the same Thermage

With Thermage, each time the tip touches the skin and delivers energy counts as 1 shot. Each genuine tip has a set number of shots, so the shot count of the tip used reflects the amount of treatment.

• For the face, tips of 300, 600 or 900 shots are common; for the eye area, 225 or 450 shots, for example.
• More shots is not always better. Your doctor decides based on face size, skin thickness and areas of concern.
• Even with the same shot count, the result feels different depending on how many times (passes) energy is layered on each area.
• Check that your quote lists the number of shots for each area. KBEAU quotes always include the shot count.

How to check a genuine tip — see it with your own eyes

A Thermage tip is a single-use cartridge used for one person only, and the device recognizes the tip and records the remaining shots. That is why the key check is whether a new, genuine tip is opened in front of you.

1. 1
   Before treatmentconfirm the quote lists the device (Thermage FLX), tip type (face/eye) and shot count.
2. 2
   Opening the tipask for a sealed new tip package to be opened in front of you. If it is already open or already attached to the device, ask for an explanation.
3. 3
   Authenticity checkyou can ask to see the authentication marks on the package and tip, such as product information or a QR code.
4. 4
   Shot count on screenonce the tip is connected, the screen shows the shot count. Check the total before starting and that the shots used afterward match the quote.
5. 5
   After treatmentyou may also ask to see the used tip again before it is discarded.

How painful is it? — Cooling and vibration

With each shot, a 'brief hot' feeling passes in about 1–2 seconds. Thermage FLX has a cooling function that chills the skin surface before, during and after energy delivery, and a vibration function that distracts from the sensation, which reduces pain.

• Areas close to bone, such as the forehead, jawline and cheekbones, can feel hotter.
• Most people go through it with numbing cream alone; if pain is a concern, you can discuss additional options such as pain medication.
• If it feels too hot, tell your doctor right away. Treatment can still be effective with the intensity adjusted. Enduring pain to push the intensity higher doesn't necessarily lead to better results.

Combining with Ulthera — deep layer and skin layer together

Ulthera uses focused ultrasound to pull the deep fascia layer (SMAS) and lift sagging, while Thermage tightens the dermis with radiofrequency to improve firmness and texture. Because they work at different depths, many people with both sagging and loss of firmness have the two treatments on the same day (often called 'Ul-Thermage').

Treatment day step by step

1. 1
   Consultation & design (20–30 min)the doctor checks skin thickness and areas of concern and sets the shot count for each area.
2. 2
   Cleansing & numbing cream (30–40 min)contact lenses and makeup are removed.
3. 3
   Genuine tip checkthe new tip is opened, authentication marks are checked, and the shot count screen is confirmed.
4. 4
   Treatment (40–90 min)a single-use grid sheet is placed on the face and shots are delivered square by square. For the eye area, protective shields are worn first.
5. 5
   Soothing care, then head outmany people can go straight back to daily activities and sightseeing.

What to expect after treatment

• Same day
  Slight redness, warmth and a tight feeling. Mostly settles within a few hours.
• Days 1–3
  Mild swelling or dryness is possible. Many people can wash their face and wear makeup.
• Weeks 1–2
  Rarely, small red marks or sensitivity may remain in some spots.
• Months 1–3
  New collagen forms, and the change in firmness and texture gradually becomes clearer.
• Months 6–12
  The effect gradually fades. Maintenance is usually done again around this time.

Sample trip schedule

• Day 1, afternoon
  Arrive → consultation → Thermage (together with Ulthera if needed)
• Day 1, evening
  Rest at your accommodation. Avoid saunas, jjimjilbang and alcohol
• Day 2
  Sightseeing and shopping are fine. Bring sunscreen and a hat. You can fly home the next day.

Side effects, precautions and aftercare

Side effects worth knowing

• Temporary redness, swelling and warmth: mostly settle within about a day.
• Rarely burns, blisters or small marks: cooling, a genuine tip and appropriate intensity are important.
• Rarely, temporary numbness or sensitivity: mostly resolves on its own.

Aftercare

• For 2–3 days, avoid saunas, hot baths, heavy drinking and intense exercise
• Moisturize well and wear sunscreen
• For about 1 week, avoid exfoliants, retinol and other irritating skincare
• If blisters form or pain or swelling keeps getting worse, contact your manager right away

Questions to ask at consultation & how to choose a clinic

1. Is Thermage right for my concern, or would it be better combined with Ulthera?
2. How many shots will be used on the face and eye area, and how are they divided by area?
3. Will you open a new genuine tip in front of me and show me the shot count screen?
4. Who performs the treatment, and who decides the intensity?
5. How can I reach you if something seems off after I return home?

• Uses genuine devices and genuine tips, and shows them on request
• Writes the shot count for each area on the quote
• A board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon decides the design and intensity
• Doesn't push excessive shot counts and takes individual differences into account
• Offers foreign-language support and follow-up after you go home

KBEAU connects you with partner dermatology clinics in Gangnam and Apgujeong that perform Thermage. Send us a photo of your face and we'll tell you in advance the suitable shot count and schedule, and on the day a dedicated manager stays with you from the genuine tip check to interpretation. We can also arrange accommodation near the clinic and airport pickup.